Developing a “dry lab” activity using lower body negative pressure to teach physiology

Abstract

In this paper we assessed how lower body negative pressure (LBNP) can be used to teach students the physiological effects of central hypovolemia in the absence of the LBNP and/or a medical monitor using a “dry lab” activity using LBNP data that have been previously collected. This activity was performed using published LBNP papers, with which students could explore LBNP as an important tool to study physiological responses to central hypovolemia as well as consider issues in performing an LBNP experiment and interpreting experimental results. The activity was performed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, with 31 graduate students and 4 teachers of physiology. Both students and teachers were provided with a set of questionnaires that inquired about aspects related to the structure of the activity and how this activity integrated research and knowledge, as well as aspects related to motivation of the students and teachers to perform the activity. Our results from student and teacher surveys suggest that a “dry lab” activity using LBNP to teach physiology can be an important tool to expose students to the basics of systems physiology as well as to provide useful insights into how research is performed. Providing insight into research includes formulating a research question and then designing (including taking into account confounding variables), implementing, conducting, and interpreting research studies. Finally, developing such an activity using LBNP can also serve as a basis for developing research capacities and interests of students even early in their medical studies.

Compensatory hemodynamic changes in response to central hypovolemia in humans: lower body negative pressure: updates and perspectives

“…However, a big limitation of this measurement technique is that a careful monitoring of the volunteers during LBNP suction application is required. Not only is there a wide variability in the tolerance to LBNP application (Goswami et al 2009a, b, c) but developmental of presyncopal signs and symptoms-a termination criteria for the study-can occur anytime in any of the volunteers (Goswami et al 2021).…”

“…We have, therefore, recently investigated an innovative teaching approach: the "dry lab" approach (Goswami et al 2021). In laboratories where there is no LBNP box available or there is lack of medical staff to monitor the study participants, a "dry lab" activity can be employed.…”

Support Vector Machine-Based Classification of Vasovagal Syncope Using Head-Up Tilt Test

“…Presyncope is the state immediately preceding a syncopal event, defined as a sudden, brief, transient loss of consciousness [21][22][23]. 'Physiological' syncope during orthostatic loading develops as the result of critically diminished cardiac preload due to low venous return.…”